3/28

Matthew 25:26,28-29

²⁶"His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed?

²⁸"'Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. ²⁹For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.

Jesus told His disciples several parables to prepare them for His departure. The parable of the talents is one of the most memorable. The word 'talent' is a measure of silver or gold. We often confuse it with the common word for man's gifting or ability. That may be one of the things Jesus was referring to. Each man was given a different amount according to their ability. This is where the word we use for talent comes in. The master gave those with financial abilities more money to invest. Then he left for a journey.

The more talented men doubled their master's money, but the man who was given the least, buried it and gave the master back what was given to him. The master used the man's own words to condemn him. The indictment is wickedness and laziness. The servant was wicked because the master had trusted him to do something. Just investing it at a bank would have at least done something. He is lazy because he made no effort to increase what the master gave him. What he had was taken away and given to the man that had the most.

What is it that we have to invest? I don't think Jesus is referring only to natural ability, but also that which He has given us of Himself. He invests in us His Spirit, the one thing that is really of value. The more we function at the leading of the Spirit, the more fruitful we are. The Spirit in us bears fruit when we let Him lead us. The more we allow Him to lead, the more of our life is filled with His presence. The man who did nothing is all too common in our Christian world. We will be indicted as wicked and lazy if we bury the Spirit within us and do nothing to see His increasing possession of our lives.

Consider: If you want an increase of the Spirit in your life, let Him have His way in your life today.